Juveniles involved in crash, 19-year-old charged with drunk driving

By Tanya Mitchell | Apr 01, 2014

Source: File image

Belfast — A 19-year-old Belfast man was arrested on charges incurred early Sunday morning, March 30, after he lost control of the vehicle he was driving as he was trying to escape the attention of police and crashed it into a telephone pole.

Brandon Porter, 19, of Belfast was arrested on charges of operating under the influence, operating without a license and illegal possession of liquor by a minor by way of consumption after the single-car crash, which occurred on Union Street just after midnight.

Belfast Detective Sgt. Bryan Cunningham said Porter and "several juveniles" were riding around in a vehicle that was registered to the adults of a family with which he is currently residing. Cunningham said the registered owners told police they caught Porter driving their vehicle on the previous day, and instructing Porter not to take the car again.

"He didn't listen," said Cunningham.

Police responded to the report of the crash and officers found all of the vehicle occupants gathered at the scene, including Porter.

"At first nobody wanted to say who was driving," said Cunningham.

Eventually, however, the youths told the officers what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.

"Witnesses said [Porter] saw a police car, panicked and stared taking off," said Cunningham. "He ended up in the ditch and hitting a telephone pole."

No one was hurt in the accident, Cunningham said, and the vehicle sustained minor damage. Porter is scheduled to appear at 5th District Court in Belfast Tuesday, May 20.